Retail spaces available in Canberra between $5,500 to $7,000 per sqm: HTW

Lower end retail spaces in Canberra can be purchased from between the mid $5,000 to mid $7,000 per square metre, according to Herron Todd White’s latest June report.

The property investment firm says that waterfront locations can cost up to $10,000 per sqm as the opportunity to secure a water view is preferred over standard street frontage.

“Purchasers wanting access to the retail market in Canberra have the choice of the primary locations of Canberra City, Braddon and Kingston Foreshore, and the secondary locations of Woden, Belconnen and Gungahlin," it says.

Yields achieved for good quality accommodation in primary locations are in the range of 5.5% to 7.25%, according to HTW.

“The typical property would be a unit (strata title) in a complex comprising 50 to 150 square metres within a mixed use commercial and residential development. It would include good exposure to passing traffic and a mix of tenancy occupants such as restaurants, individual clothing retailers and boutique outlets, accompanied by an office and residential component on the upper levels."

“Secondary locations such as Woden and Belconnen are more accessible at the lower end of the market,” the report stated.

New mixed use developments are providing modern, affordable retail spaces, said Herron Todd White.

“A number of new mixed use developments are providing modern space at ground floor level which is more affordable than primary location equivalents.

“These include developments such as Mystere at Macquarie and Altitude, Northpoint Place, Belconnen.

“Market entry prices range from $2,000 per square metre to $7,500 per square metre for a 92 square metre unit with a ten year lease in an established centre.

“Yields achieved for secondary commercial properties range from 6% to 10% and reflect the strength of the lease covenant nature, age of the improvements and the type of purchaser investor or owner-occupier,” the report advised.

Presently the lower sector is stable with demand coming mostly from owner-occupiers or self-managed occupiers Herron Todd White comments.

“The lower price sector is stable at present with demand coming from self managed superannuation funds and owner-occupiers.

“The market appears to be securing long term potential over the initial yield.

“The population growth in the northern suburbs of Canberra and densification of the inner city is seeing demand for this property type grow as people enjoy the convenience of accessible local goods and services.

“Both primary and secondary locations are offering this type of property and continue to evolve.

“We are seeing the emergence of Melbourne style laneway occupants providing interesting and point of difference uses that were previously unavailable to retail uses.

“An example is No Name Lane in the city opposite Hobart Place which provides a vehicle free pedestrian zone, allowing a pleasant alternative to the typical corner shop or shopping centre space situated between two buildings.

Secondary locations are providing opportunities for purchasers to acquire property in the lower price sector at an entry level that is similar to that in prime locations, yet more affordable, the report said.

A retail showroom property at 4 Sawmill Circuit, Hume (above) has sold for $4,310,000 through Burgess Rawson, according to CoreLogic data. It sold after just four weeks on the market.

Similarly, an office building at 15 Thynne Street, Bruce (below) has been put on the market through CBRE. It last changed hands for $3,200,000 back in 2004, CoreLogic RP Data shows.